Tell ‘em Steve-Dave! Episode #657: To Live And Die By TESD
Release Date: November 10, 2025
Overview
In this characteristically rambling, heartfelt, and raucous episode, the Tell ‘em Steve-Dave! crew — Bryan, Walt, Q (Bryan Quinn), and Git ‘Em Steve-Dave — reunite for an episode full of physical health laments, Key West recap stories, Halloween reflections, comic book geekery, pet cloning debates, listener engagement (including a live podcast proposal), and their trademark “uncensored” takes on pop culture absurdities. The show is a blend of camaraderie, jest, genuine concern, and classic anti-establishment comic-shop banter.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Ailments, Aging, and Cancelled Black Friday
- The episode starts with the guys bemoaning their collective failing health, which necessitated cancelling the much-anticipated annual Black Friday event at the shop.
- “Everybody’s fucking falling apart. That’s the problem. I got a bad back. Git ‘em is like… he looks like a zombie.” — Bryan [01:47]
- Stories swap between chronic pain, back issues, hospitalizations and the exhaustion of simply waking up, casting a darkly comic tone over the group’s acceptance of aging.
- Everyone expresses hope that a rescheduled “Black Friday in July” might be possible.
2. Key West Recap and the Wet T-Shirt Contest
- Q recaps the crew’s recent trip to Key West for Fantasy Fest, highlighting both fun and frailty:
- Bryan judges a wild Key West wet t-shirt contest despite his back: “This should be a bucket list item—judging a wet t-shirt contest in Key West. And while I'm there, I was just like, whoa, this is so hot...” [12:12]
- Q is invited to run for “King of Fantasy Fest.” He debates the ethics of becoming a “carpetbagger” and possibly ousting long-time community members:
- “They tried to talk me into throwing my hat in the ring for next year...but I just feel like, I don’t know, that's a little carpet baggerish, isn’t it?” — Q [06:35]
- Highlights:
- Q has entrenched himself as an accepted (almost regal) member of the local community.
- Amusing anecdotes about Key West’s lively, friendly atmosphere, judging criteria for contests, and “talent” of the participants.
3. Halloween, Horror Films, and the “King of Staten Island”
- Q skips big Halloween plans after Key West, opting instead for Hammer Horror marathons.
- “I just stayed home, watched some fucking Frankenstein movies...the old Hammer ones.” — Q [13:23]
- Classic disagreements on British horror, Peter Cushing, and Q trying (and failing) to make his house open to trick-or-treaters (mostly feeding raccoons).
- “I trained them all. Not a single person...then the raccoons got into the bucket and I woke up the next day and just...wrappers all over my front yard.” — Q [15:10]
4. Midlife Digestive Debacles
- Walt recounts a health scare triggered by… garlic bread:
- “I actually went in for like a third slice of bread...around two o’clock...I thought I was dying...My nasal passages were on fire, and I couldn't figure out what the fuck was going on...” — Walt [17:41]
- The guys riff on age, genetics, and dietary adventures gone terribly awry.
- A morbidly funny “inventory” of family ailments.
5. Comics Deep-Dive: Frank Miller’s Batman Universe
- Q prepares to fulfill a Patreon promise to read and review the Frank Miller Batman-verse for I Buy Comics.
- “I started reading the entire Frank Miller-verse...So that's gonna be one of them.” — Q [21:10]
- Discussion of arcs: Year One, The Dark Knight Returns, All-Star Batman, Superman: Year One, and the “varying quality” of Miller’s late work.
- Decision: break the reviews into four separate episodes for Patreon.
6. Pet Cloning and Tom Brady’s Cloned Dog
- The recent news that Tom Brady cloned his beloved dog inspires a serious and comic debate on the ethics and allure of pet cloning (with Q revealing he paid to freeze the DNA of his own cat, Benjamin).
- “If I had unlimited resources…all your dogs would still be alive.” — Bryan to Walt [32:12]
- “It was more about finding comfort in that there was a piece of him still alive in some way.” — Q [32:37]
- The group reflects on the comfort vs. reality of cloning not producing the same pet, potential public backlash, the sci-fi flavor of pet legacy, and even the (illegal) prospect of human cloning.
7. A Podcast Proposal: Love and Listener Engagement
- Timestamp [49:00+]: Walt reads an email request from listener Joshua Jackson asking the TESD crew to propose to his girlfriend Nicki Mannet live on the show—because they listen to the podcast together in bed.
- The guys banter about the wisdom/danger of public proposals and podcast marriages.
- Walt and Git 'Em gamely attempt a musical interlude for if she says no. Extended jokes about prenups, family fortunes, and engagement sex ensue.
- “You live by TSD, you die by TSD. I don't know what to tell you.” — Q [51:18]
- “Congratulations, Nikki...I hope she's crying tears of joy and she's not horrified that a podcast just proposed to her.” — Walt [53:44]
8. Scams & Social Media Warnings
- Q issues another public service announcement about social media impersonators and scams, expressing disbelief that people still get duped by “fake Q” requests for money.
- “There are zero exceptions...do not ever, under any circumstances, think you are talking to me online. It is not happening.” — Q [61:41]
- Reflection on how stores started issuing scam warnings about IRS gift card payments.
9. Pop Culture, Halloween Costumes, and Auction Insanity
- Absurd and inappropriate Halloween stories: Nazi costumes, blood-soaked Jackie Kennedy costumes, sexualized children’s costumes, and notable floats (Auschwitz gates), with the crew oscillating between horror and black humor.
- Pop culture auction talk: Wonder Woman costume, Joker suit, Fonzie’s jacket:
- “That's a steal. You could have had that, right?” — Walt on Wonder Woman’s costume selling for $225k [69:33]
- Quick takes on Columbo, Poker Face, and classic TV crime shows, with Walt delighting in turning Mary Beth into a Columbo fan.
10. Upcoming Roast and Stand-Up Opportunities
- Q invites heckling as he’s asked to participate in the “Roast of New Jersey” at the Count Basie Theater, pondering taking the mic and “addressing” years of Jersey/New York rivalry with the group.
11. Git 'Em’s Medical Updates and Group Support
- The guys close the show on a supportive note, discussing Git ‘Em’s mysterious ailments, upcoming MRIs, the hazards of prescription sedatives, and the prospect of Walt playing emotional support/driver.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On aging and Black Friday’s cancellation:
- “Johnson's are bred from a poor stock.” — Bryan [00:06 & 20:24]
- “That's why there's no Black Friday. We'll all be resting up, man.” — Q [20:44]
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On the realities of wet t-shirt judging:
- “This should be a bucket list item…judging a wet T-shirt contest in Key West. And while I'm there, I was just like, whoa, this is so hot. It's just so fucking hot.” — Bryan [12:12]
-
On garlic bread-induced near-death:
- “My nasal passages were on fire, and I couldn't figure out what the fuck was going on. I couldn't see.” — Walt [18:00]
-
On the comfort of pet cloning:
- “It was more about finding comfort in that there was a piece of him still alive in some way.” — Q [32:37]
-
On social media impersonators:
- “Do not ever, under any circumstances, think that you are talking to me online. It is not happening.” — Q [61:41]
-
On listener marriage proposals:
- “You live by TSD, you die by TSD. I don't know what to tell you.” — Q [51:18]
- “Congratulations, Nikki…Hopefully this is a joyous occasion…hugging and screaming and messing up the sheets. Tears of joy...” — Walt [57:23]
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On Halloween costume disasters:
- “Who the fuck is wearing a Nazi costume? …This guy…What kind of an idiot is out there doing it?” — Bryan [72:14]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:06 - 05:00: Crew introductions, health woes, Black Friday cancellation
- 05:00 - 14:00: Key West recap, Fantasy Fest, the wet T-shirt contest, Q’s “king” candidacy
- 14:00 - 21:00: Halloween at home, Hammer Horror, raccoon tales
- 17:40 - 20:40: Walt’s garlic bread disaster and family ailments inventory
- 21:10 - 23:00: The Frank Miller Batman-verse deep-dive
- 31:00 - 36:00: Tom Brady’s cloned dog, pet cloning debate, and Q’s experiences
- 49:00 - 57:30: The podcast proposal — Joshua Jackson to Nicki Mannet
- 61:26 - 63:10: Q’s scam warning and reflections on online impersonators
- 68:30 - 71:41: TV nostalgia: Columbo, McMillan & Wife, and auctioned memorabilia
- 72:00 - 76:16: Halloween costume controversy roundup
- 77:12 - 78:14: Q’s “Roast of New Jersey” invite
- 78:15 - End: Git ‘Em’s health updates, MRI plans, and closing camaraderie
Tone & Style
The episode is a freewheeling journey through the concerns, affections, and idiosyncrasies of lifelong friends and pop culture nerds. The frank humor wavers from gallows wit about aging bodies, to irreverent analysis of the world’s absurdities, to tender support for each other and their listeners. The banter is equal parts sarcastic, raw, and oddly heartwarming, with the usual mix of pop culture riffs, confessions, and listener love.
For Listeners Who Missed It
This episode delivers classic TESD: sardonic fun, behind-the-scenes stories, pet/life philosophy debates, and community engagement. It’s a testament to the show’s enduring chemistry and oddball charm, whether discussing cloning a cat or getting mistaken for Pete at Chick-fil-A. The live proposal for a listener serves as a reminder of the show’s extended family—and their willingness to share both the joy and the messiness.